View Full Version : 12-Days' Decline Quantified


lemonlime
07-30-2007, 03:16 PM
Sort of, I guess.

I just took twelve days off the bike for a family vacation. I took my running stuff and ran exactly once. My aunt and uncle had a really nice pair of mountain bikes that I meant to take out on the road every day but failed to do that. On the upside, though, I drank a lot of Alaskan Amber.

Anyway, below are my numbers for two rides; one was on 7/4 when I was in arguably my best shape of the year and the other was from today. Weather conditions were basically the same (hot & humid) with no appreciable wind. Both rides were on the same bike and were definitely not dedicated training rides, but rather just getting out for some exercise. Today, of course, my legs didn't have any snap to them, but what I really noticed was my heartrate. When I brought it up to the 160's, instead of feeling like I was opening up the throttle, it felt like I was running out of gas; a very weird sensation.

Distance: 33 miles

Time: 7/04 - 1:42; 7/31 - 1:47

Ave Speed: 7/04 - 19.1; 7/31 - 18.1

Ave Pwr: 7/04 - 187; 7/31 - 166

kJ: 7/04 - 1174; 7/31 - 1049

Ave HR: 7/04 - 140; 7/31 - 153

I'm not particularly concerned, other than I have a road race and TT this weekend. Since I won't have enough time to really train, what do you gurus recommend I should do? I don't have any visions of glory for myself but would like to help out a couple of buddies as much as possible.

handsomerob
07-30-2007, 05:45 PM
go "train in Mexico" or

go see Dr. Ferrari

maybe you had too much blood in your thighs?

Creakyknees
08-02-2007, 06:58 AM
Well, the "de training" effect is well documented and definitely faster than any of us would like. But also can be mitigated by even 1 or 2 short but intense workouts.

Maybe just needed to open up the pipes a bit - as I get older, I've discovered I'm not at my best after even 2-3 days off the bike, I need a loosen-up ride before I can go full gas.

Let us know how you do this weekend.